Embark on an unforgettable hiking adventure in Uganda, discovering stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife
Enjoy exceptional hiking as you explore some of Uganda’s beautiful natural places and encounter extraordinary wildlife, including chimpanzees and mountain gorillas.
This amazing hiking holiday takes you off the beaten track to explore some of Uganda’s natural places. As you walk, enjoy stunning scenery and the opportunity to see extraordinary wildlife. Get a rare insight into the traditional cultures of Uganda as you meet some of the warm, friendly people.
This holiday is suitable for all levels and abilities; more challenging hikes can be replaced by gentler walks in the same areas.
Tour Highlights
Outstanding walks in stunning locations
Immerse yourself in Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes with scenic walks through the crater lakes, the dense Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and the vast savannahs of Lake Mburo. Each location offers spectacular views.
Meet people and learn about Uganda’s culture
Engage with local communities through immersive cultural experiences, from joining the Batwa people in their new home to discovering Uganda’s rich traditions through music and dance performance at Ndere cultural centre.
Track Gorillas and encounter other wildlife
Experience the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of trekking through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to meet the endangered mountain gorillas. You will also encounter a variety of wildlife, including the rare tree-climbing lions.
Hike and spend a night on mountain Rwenzori
Challenge yourself with an unforgettable hike in the foothills of the legendary Rwenzori Mountains. Spend a night surrounded in one of the camps on the mountain, surrounded by breathtaking peaks and waterfalls.
Enjoy the company of the chimpanzee
Taker a guided walk through Kibale forest – the primate capital of East Africa and track your chimpanzee family. Watch them for 1 hour as they go about their daily activities from grooming, playing, feeding and snoozing.Itinerary at a glance
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Day 2: Travel to Fort Portal. Amabere ga’nyinamwiru cultural site.
Day 3: Crater lakes hike. Tea plantation tour and community walk
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking. Swamp walk for primates and birds
Day 5: Hill climb at the foothills of the Rwenzori’s. Drive to Queen Elizabeth
Day 6: Lion tracking and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Day 7: Ishasha sector. Game drive
Day 8: Game drive. Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 9: Scenic impenetrable forest walk
Day 10: A thrilling moment with the mountain gorillas
Day 11: Batwa trail experience. Optional Mt Muhavura climb
Day 12: Drive to Lake Mburo national park. Community walk
Day 13: Nature walk in the park. Return to Kampala. Evening at Ndere
Day 14: Visit the crafts market. Departure
Click on the boxes below to see the day by day itinerary
Day 1 - Evening arrival
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your guide who will be with you throughout your holiday, will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for a relaxing and peaceful night in this quiet part of town
Accommodation: The Boma Hotel – Entebbe.
Meal Plan: If arriving early, meals can be purchased at the hotel
Day 2: Travel to Fort Portal. Amabere ga’nyinamwiru cultural site.
After breakfast you will drive west to Fort Portal town, 5 hours away. Settle into your lodge and have lunch. After, you will walk to Amabere ga’nyinamwiru cultural site, a series of caves featuring many stalagmites and stalactites. During your hike to the site, through the local community and countryside, your guide will tell you all about the history, geography and culture of the region.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge – Kibale.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Top of the world hike and coffee experience. Tea plantation tour and community walk
Today you will hike to the top of the world, a popular activity with visitors to Fort portal and Kibale national park. Accompanied by your knowledgeable guide, you walk through villages, hills, lush gardens, tea plantations, crater lakes and coffee bushes. When at the top – hopefully the day is clear, you can see the Rwenzori mountains, several crater lakes, Fort Portal, Kibale forest, community settlements and lots more. You will also have the opportunity to learn about processing of coffee from planting to making a cup for yourself. In the evening, go out for a guided village walk. Meet the local people.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge – Kibale.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Chimpanzee tracking. Swamp walk near Kibale
At 07:30, join your group for your briefing and then enter the forest and begin your search for the chimpanzees. Once you have located them, you will spend a thrilling hour with them before returning for lunch. Later, visit Bigodi: a conservation project run by the local community which protects the wetlands and their inhabitants including various primates and birds.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge – Kibale.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Hill climb at the foothills of the Rwenzori’s. Drive to Queen Elizabeth
Departing early this morning, the journey of approx. 2 hours takes you to Kasese, where you will go on a approx. 3-4-hour hill hike on the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. The hike takes you through lush gardens, community valley, across some of the beautiful rivers and a chance to view the Magherita the snow-capped peak of the Rwenzori’s on a clear day. The ecosystem is amazing. You will afterwards drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, an hour away.
Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Lion tracking and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
This morning presents a different experience where you go off the beaten tracks, getting close to lions. You will be accompanied by researchers and wildlife rangers. This is a learning experience, having you get deeper knowledge of lions, how tracking gadgets are used, their ways and habits in their natural habitat. Explore the explosion craters, another stunning area in this park to see the several beautiful crater lakes as well. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing 3-hour boat ride along the Kazinga Channel, renowned for its rich birdlife, including the Pied Kingfisher and Goliath Heron and wildlife such as hippos and crocodiles. You may also spot thirsty visitors to the riverbanks, such as elephants and buffalos.
Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Ishasha sector. Game drive
Travel further south to Ishasha, a sector famous of her tree-climbing lions and also its diverse ecosystem. This is the only area in Uganda to see the tree climbing lions. The numerous fig trees in this sector hide the suspicious hunters scanning the savannah grass for prey or perhaps relaxing and taking a nap. Spend the best hours of the day exploring this sector, game viewing.
Accommodation: Embogo Lodge – Queen Elizabeth national park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Game drive. Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Another game drive this morning starts your day in ishasha for wildlife viewing. After lunch, drive through the lush green countryside to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, about 2 hours. This Park is home to the mountain gorillas, 113 mammal species and 360 bird species. Relax for the evening at your lodge.
Accommodation: Engagi Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Scenic impenetrable forest walk
This morning you take the opportunity to discover the hidden treasures of Bwindi by foot. A forest walk unfolds secrets of this impenetrable forest rewarding visitors with an exclusive natural feeling of a virgin forest, melodies of the birds singing, and come close to wildlife. From Buhoma to Nkuringo, enjoy the 5-6-hour trail, enjoying the scenery, learning about the flora and fauna, the trees, birds, wildlife, the misty hills as you go along. Your guide will wait for you at the end of the trail and transfer you to your lodge.
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Thrilling moments with the enchanting mountain gorillas
Today presents a rare and privileged opportunity to see the endangered mountain gorillas. Join your group for a briefing and trek through the forest in search of your gorilla family; this can take anything from 3 to 8 hours. Once you find them, watch these enchanting creatures as they eat, play, groom and even snooze. If yours is a shorter trek, enjoy an afternoon’s relaxation at your lodge or a stroll around the local town. Transfer to Kisoro (approx. 2 hours).
Accommodation: Ichumbi Hotel – Kisoro. Meals: B, L, D
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Batwa tribal experience
Meet the community from one of the oldest tribes in the world – the Batwa pygmy people this morning. They will take you through their former home – the forest, where they lived in harmony with nature (5 – 6 hours). Hear their fascinating story and traditional way of life then!
Optional: Mt Muhabura climb
At 07:00, meet your guide and, taking a packed lunch, begin the hike up Mt. Muhabura. The 8-hour hike will not only reward you with spectacular views of the Virungas but also an opportunity to stand at the border of two countries – Uganda and Rwanda. Keep your eyes peeled for chances to see some of the wildlife present in the park.
Accommodation: Ichumbi Hotel – Kisoro. Meals: B, L, D
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - Drive to Lake Mburo national park. Community walk
Transfer to Lake Mburo national park this morning a journey of approx. 5 hours. This is one of Uganda’s smallest parks and the among the only two parks in the country where you one can see the zebra, impala and eland. Settle in to your loge upon arrival and in the late afternoon, head out on a guided community walk. Learn a lot about the local people, their culture and the treasured long horned cows.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock – Lake Mburo National Park. Meals: B, L, D
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 - Nature walk in the park. Travel to Kampala. Cultural music and dance entertainment
Search for the early grazers of the park on a safari walk. Get closer to the animals including buffaloes, impalas, elands, zebras and Rothschild giraffes and watch as they go about their daily activities. After, travel back to Kampala, 5 hours away, with a stop at the Equator to have lunch and check out the craft shops. When you arrive, relax in your hotel. In the evening, visit the famous Ndere Centre for a performance of traditional dance and music from Uganda’s various tribes.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn – Kampala. Meals: B, L, D
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - Visit the crafts market. Evening departure
On your final day in Uganda, transfer to the Entebbe crafts village for shopping. Feel free to explore the neighbouring Botanical Gardens or relax by the beach enjoying views of the lake. Your driver will transfer you to the airport to check-in for your flight home in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Extend or customise this itinerary
If you have specific interests or target species we will be happy to suggest alternative and additional activities that fit this itinerary. Simply get in touch.
Relax in comfort
We recommend mid-range properties suitable for this itinerary. We are looking for a good location; somewhere clean, safe and comfortable. We want good service, good food and, where possible, strong responsible travel practices. We are happy to suggest alternative properties and properties in different price brackets.
Responsible travel highlights
We offer fabulous holidays that have a positive impact. We consider people and planet as much as profit and try to ensure, that overall, your visit to Uganda is a force for good. We don’t claim to be perfect but we actively try.
Support Local Communities
Immerse yourself in the rich cultures of Uganda by visiting local villages and learning from the Batwa and other indigenous communities. Your visits contribute to sustainable livelihoods and help preserve local traditions and craft
Wildlife Conservation
By tracking gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitats, you’re supporting critical conservation efforts aimed at protecting these species. Your participation in these activities helps fund park maintenance.
Promote Conservation
Participate in activities like lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park and boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel, which support the park’s ongoing conservation initiatives. Your visit helps fund anti-poaching efforts and protects Uganda’s rich wildlife.
Responsible tourism
This itinerary offers unique opportunities to track wildlife and explore natural landscapes, all while minimizing your carbon footprint by hiking. This itinerary contributes to sustainable tourism practices that help offset carbon emissionsOur guests regularly spot…
Gorilla
Chimpanzees
Rothschild giraffes
Buffalo
Tree-climbing lion
Eland
Black and white colobus monkey
Zebra
Hippo
Various antelope
Buffalo
Crocodile
Bush buck
Impala
Various primates
Insects and butterflies
Various reptiles
Numerous bird species
Where the tour goes
Tour Gallery
Tour information
Duration: 14 days
Tour Type: Private
Price: please contact us for options and detailed price information
Included in this price
1 gorilla & 1 chimp tracking permit each
A double room in mid-range, non-air-conditioned accommodation
Full board meal plan
Private safari vehicle with driver and fuel for this itinerary
All entrance and other fees for the activities included in the itinerary
Mineral water in transit
All government taxes
Not included in this price
International flights
Visas
Travel insurance
Personal expenses: alcohol, laundry services and souvenirs
Tips (normally 5–10% and around $10 per day for your guide)
What Philo says about this safari…
Safaris include some early starts so consider adding some downtime into your itinerary. Many lodges have great views or quiet corners to read a book, some even have swimming pools and spas. You may even find grazers or lovey birds around your lodge.
Philo, Venture Uganda Travel Consultant
Extend & Customise
If you have specific interests or target species we will be happy to suggest alternative and additional activities that fit this itinerary.
Enquire now
Got any questions?
If there’s anything you’re not sure about or you would just like to chat about this itinerary, email: philo@ventureuganda.org. Tell me when you’re free, leave a contact email/whatsapp No. and I’ll be in touch.
Ask a question
Ready to book?
Please complete our Enquiry form and we’ll be in touch. Remember to mention the optional activities you would like to book and what kind of room you’d like. You may also find it really useful to look over our important information page where you can find out our terms and insurance policies.
Enquire Today
Travel with Confidence
Sustainability
Responsible travel is something we care deeply about. We try our best to ensure your holiday has a positive impact on wildlife, people and places.
Here to Support
We are available 24/7. Our trained, professional staff are by your side in case of any emergencies, big or small. We’ve got your back.
We’re Recommended
We offer a great experience, tailored to you, but don’t take our word for it, read our reviews.
We’re Local
Uganda is our home so we’ll show you the highlights and take you off-the-beaten track to experience the real Uganda.
Personal Service
Our dedicated travel consultants are experts at preparing tailor-made holidays for solos, couples, group and family travellers.
Expert Local Guides
Our guides are instrumental to ensuring our travellers have an unforgettable experience. We only use the best and our clients love them.